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By
Phyllis Hanlon
 Alums
often visit their Alma Mater for reunions, anniversaries
and other special occasions. In the case of Joseph H. Maguire,
he never really left. Born and raised in Worcester, Maguire
attended Holy Cross and received his degree in English in
1958. Four years later he returned to the College, this time
occupying a chair on the other side of the desk. His joint
appointment as a member of the faculty in the education department
and advisor to the day students absorbed much more of his
time than the typical 9-5 workday ever would. In May, after
a 39-year reign, Joe Maguire retired.
During his early years at Holy Cross, Maguire taught a number of courses, mostly
in the area of teacher preparation. "The requirements for teacher certification
were much simpler back then," he says. One of the courses he taught in
the 1960s-"Principles of Guidance"-has developed over the years to include a
much broader range of topics. "The course was originally designed for students
going into guidance," Maguire explains. "The format changed over the years and
evolved into a course on Death, Violence, Loneliness, Intimacy
and Hope." He adds that many of the students who take this course are not
involved in the education program in any other way. "In this course we read,
write and discuss quite a lot," he says. "This gives students a chance to think
about some of the basic areas of life."
Seven years after his arrival, Maguire was named assistant dean, earning him
the title, "Dean Joe." The new post meant less time in the classroom, although
Maguire continued to teach "Educational Psychology," his trademark course. Although
students would still solicit guidance regarding academic as well as social issues,
his official day-student advising days were over as well.
Maguire's
affiliation with Holy Cross is different from other teachers' in that he has
called the campus home for some 35 years. Four years after assuming teaching
duties at the College, he moved on campus.
"I
wanted to be more available to students," he says. The fact that students come
to him at 2 a.m. for advice on personal issues is testimony that supports his
decision. David Lizotte, director of the Teacher Education Program, expresses
great admiration for Maguire and offers some insights into the special relationship
he has with students. "Dean Maguire is a great listener," he says. Lizotte applauds
the balancing act that he so successfully maintains. "Joe knows the rules and
sticks by them. He won't break or bend them, but
he will help students negotiate," says Lizotte. "That's not an easy place to
be."
Christopher
Themistos '01 calls Maguire's impending departure "bittersweet." Themistos feels
fortunate that he has had a chance to know Maguire and work so closely
with him. "I still remember listening to him that first day I entered Holy
Cross," he says. As dean of the class of 2001, Maguire has a particularly close
attachment to this group. Brent Otto '01 echoes the sentiments of Themistos and
adds his own thoughts on the academic aspect of Maguire's
impact on students. "Dean Joe goes beneath the surface of what teaching is all
about," he says. "He looks at underlying issues that help or hinder the psychology
of teaching." Maguire's high standards regarding emotional, spiritual and justice
issues and how they interact with personal values
have influenced Themistos' thinking regarding education and his future
as a teacher.
Joseph
Bonillo '02 developed a special affinity for Dean Joe after he was accepted into
the Urban Education Semester (UES) program. "Dean Joe put in a good word for
me," Bonillo says. "I was one of the group of twelve that participated and the
only sophomore." This intervention was proof to Bonillo of Maguire's willingness
to do "anything for the student."
In addition to his excellent reputation among students, Maguire has earned the
respect of his colleagues. From the first day Lizotte joined the department,
Maguire has been a "wonderful mentor" and teacher for him. "He has helped me
to understand Holy Cross through the years," he says. Lizotte notes that Maguire
is "purple, through and through."
Since graduation, Maguire has begun a new life off campus at the home of a former
student in nearby Auburn. His retirement days will be different, but full,
nevertheless. "The family with which I'll live has a blind dog," he says. " I
guess that means I'll be a seeing-eye person to a blind dog."
Among his retirement pursuits are plans to write a couple of books. One of the
projects, a book of everyday essays, will reflect personal experiences and cover
a wide range of topics. "There will be biographical pieces in
the book as well," Maguire says. Another project in the works ties into his teaching
days at Holy Cross. Drawing from his many years at the Jesuit college, Maguire
will develop some thinking as to "the nature and purpose
of a Catholic education."
Maguire's
farewell course is a class called "Thursdays with Joe," suggested by the popular
nonfiction book, Tuesdays with Morrie. The class, titled Education
for Hope, requires students to read six books by Robert Coles, the
famed child
psychiatrist, and four volumes by Jonathan Kozol, a commentator on
social issues in inner city
schools.
Appreciative
of Maguire's innumerable contributions to the College, Otto captures the general
consensus of the Holy Cross community in saying, "It will be difficult to find
someone to step into his shoes."
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